General Assembly chief calls on States to enter real talks on Security Council reform

18 July 2011

The President of the General Assembly today urged United Nations Member States to enter genuine negotiations on reforming the size and membership of the Security Council and to show flexibility in a bid to reach a solution.

Addressing a conference on Council reform held in Mexico, Joseph Deiss stressed that any solution to the long-running debate on making the Council’s composition more representative ultimately lies with the 193 Member States of the world body.

Mr. Deiss indicated that any success in reforming the 15-member Council – which currently has five permanent and 10 non-permanent members – would be an important contribution to making the system of global governance more representative of the new world order.

He also said it would help create a safer, more democratic and more prosperous world, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.

The statement noted that Mr. Deiss urged the world’s countries to “take their responsibilities, embark on real negotiations and display a constructive, realistic and flexible attitude.”

Earlier, before travelling to Mexico, the Assembly President met on Friday with Ambassador Peter Wittig of Germany, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month.

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With different groups holding steadfast to their respective positions regarding reform of the Security Council, the President of the General Assembly today called for a “compromise” on the issue, at least a temporary one.